Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Zeroes in on Nation’s No. 1 JUCO Receiver Keon Hutchins

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

December 1, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In an age when the transfer portal fuels college football’s fast-paced traffic, Illinois is moving with a different tone. The Illini are targeting junior college standouts, tapping into a path most call it the old school approach in recruiting.

Why call it old school? Because the modern landscape revolves around the transfer portal. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema will unquestionably tap into the portal like every other power-conference program, but as IlliniGuys’ Mike Cagley, co-host of Sports . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

554 - Illini Flush Terrapins 89-70 for 8th Win in a Row

Listen

553 Illini Beat Minnesota Winning Streak Up to 7

Listen

1.16.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Portal Kombat & CFP Future

Listen

552 - Illini Break 3-Game Losing Streak at Northwestern

Listen

551 Illini Road Win Over Iowa 75-69

Listen

1.9.26 - Portal Kombat, Illini Women & A'ja Wilson & Illini vs Iowa Coming Up

Listen

550 Illini Crush Rutgers 81-55

Listen

549 Illini Portal Kombat Wins with Steve Sturm

Listen

548 Illini Strangle Penn State 73-65

Listen

1.2.26 - Music City Champs, Basketball Rolling & Why the SEC is Overrated

Listen

547 Portal Kombat Day 1 & CFP Thoughts

Listen

546 - Illini Beat Tennessee in Music City Bowl

Listen

545 - Illini Beat Tennessee in Music City Bowl

Listen

544 - Illini Smash Southern 90-55

Listen

543 Illini Football Preview Tennessee Volunteers Part II

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.